Confectionery dispenser having a rotatable closure

ABSTRACT

A hand-held confectionery product dispenser is provided and includes a container and a rotatable closure. Both the container and the rotatable closure define openings, that, when aligned, allow the confectionery product to be dispensed. A grip indentation may be present in one wall of the container. Preferably present in an embodiment is a thumb engagement point on the closure, to aid in rotation of the closure. The hand-held dispenser allows a user to hold the dispenser in the palm of one hand and rotate the closure with the thumb of the same hand for easy opening and closing of the dispenser.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to packaging. More particularly,the present invention relates to dispensers for storing and dispensingconfectionery products.

The packaging for confectionery products is important to the marketingand storage of the product. As such, dispensers for confectioneryproducts come in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs. For example,dispensers can be hand-held containers, with an openable closure for thedispensing of small pieces of confectionery product. Such containers aretraditionally useful for dispensing of one individual product, or asmall number of products, at a time. Alternately, dispensers may belarger, with an openable lid for dispensing many pieces at once.

Traditional dispensers are useful for a number of purposes. Inparticular, traditional dispensers keep products fresh and free fromcontaminants. Additionally, where a product consists of a large numberof small pieces, traditional containers are useful for maintaining themin a restricted space for easy carrying.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing products.More particularly, the present invention provides a hand-held dispensercomprising a container comprising a top, a bottom and at least one sidewall having an opening. A rotatable closure for easy, one-handeddispensing of products is rotatably coupled to the side wall. Thepresent invention further provides a method of dispensing a productcomprising providing a hand-held product dispenser having a rotatableclosure, grasping the dispenser in the palm of one hand, rotating theclosure with the thumb of the same hand and dispensing the product. Theproducts in an embodiment are confectionery products. The teachings ofthe present invention, however, are not dependent upon the productsbeing any particular type as long as the products can fit within, and bedispensed by, the hand-held dispenser described herein. The dispenserherein, regardless of what product is being dispensed, is configured tobe highly functional as described.

The present invention provides a hand-held confectionery productdispenser comprising a container and a rotatable circular closure.Preferably, both the dispenser and the closure have openings and thecircular closure rotates so that the openings are aligned to open thedispenser. The closure provides ease in opening and resealing thedispenser with a single movement by one hand.

The present invention provides in an embodiment, a dispenser having acontainer and a rotating closure capable of dispensing pieces of aconfectionery product.

The present invention additionally provides in an embodiment a hand-heldconfectionery product dispenser having at least one grip indentation onthe side of the dispenser to easily fit the fingers of a user's hand.

In another embodiment, a hand-held confectionery product dispenser isprovided, comprising a container and a rotatable closure. The closureadditionally has a thumb engagement point which receives rotationalforce for opening and closing of the closure.

In an embodiment the thumb engagement point is a concave indentation inthe rotatable closure.

In an embodiment the thumb engagement point is a convex portion on therotatable closure.

In another embodiment the thumb engagement point is a cavity.

In another embodiment, the dispenser is sized to fit into a user's palm.

In another embodiment, the dispenser is sized to fit within a clothingpocket of the user.

In yet another embodiment, the dispenser allows a user to grip thedispenser and to open and close the rotatable closure with the samehand.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide ahand-held confectionery product dispenser for dispensing confectioneryproducts.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide aconfectionery product dispenser that is compact and easily stored.

Yet further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide adispenser closure that is rotatable for easy opening and closing of thedispenser.

Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide adispenser capable of being held in one hand and of being opened andclosed with the same hand.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the hand-helddispenser and rotatable closure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective side view of the dispenser ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of thehand-held dispenser and rotatable closure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a hand-held confectionery productdispenser, including a rotatable closure. It will be appreciated that,although in the embodiment illustrated the confectionery products areillustrated as tablets of products, the products to be dispensed can beof any suitable shape and size. Examples of such shapes include pill,block, flat stick, pillow, round, rectangular, triangular, and anycombination of same.

The dispenser in the embodiment described below is generally made of aplastic material. In an embodiment, the material is polyethylene orpolypropylene. The dispenser is designed to be durable. The presentinvention expressly includes, however, the dispenser being made of anysuitable material.

Additionally, the dispenser in the embodiment described below is compactfor easy carrying. More particularly, in an embodiment of the presentinvention the dispenser is sized to fit neatly into a clothing pocket.In an embodiment the dispenser is less than 25 cm tall and less than 25cm wide. In another embodiment, the dispenser is less than 20 cm talland less than 20 cm wide. In yet another embodiment, the dispenser isless than 10 cm tall and less than 10 cm wide. It will be appreciatedthat the height and width of the dispenser need not be of the samedimensions. It will further be appreciated that the dispenserillustrated in the embodiment is expressly not limited to any particularsize or shape.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, anembodiment of a hand-held confectionery dispenser is illustratedgenerally at 10. The dispenser comprises a container 20 and a rotatableclosure 22. The container 20 and closure 22 may be made of the samematerial, or of suitably different materials, as desired and as setforth below.

Two different embodiments of the shape of the container 20 are generallyillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. In both these embodiment, the container 20comprises a top 30, a bottom 32, and at least one side wall 34 to form areceptacle for storing the confectionery pieces. As illustrated in thefigures, the top 30, bottom 32 and at least one side wall 34 may beintegrally formed of a single-piece construction. Alternately, the sidewall or walls 34 may be separate pieces cooperating together (not shown)to form a container 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thecontainer is shaped to adapt to the hand of a user. It will beappreciated, however, that the container 20 may be any suitable size orshape, including but not limited to cubic, rectangular, pyramidal,cylindrical, conical and spherical. As illustrated in the figures, thecontainer 20 defines a wall opening 40 which enables the confectioneryproducts to be dispensed or otherwise removed from the container.

In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, at least one grip indentation50 may be present. The grip indentation 50 provides a surface for a userto place his or her fingers, as he or she grasps the container 20 in hisor her palm. A force may therefore be exerted on the container 20. Thisallows a user to maintain a hold on the container 20 with the fingers,leaving the thumb free (as discussed below) for opening of the container20. It will be appreciated that any number and size of indentations 50may be present, as the size and shape of the dispenser will allow.

A rotatable closure 22 is present and is sized for engaging andselectively opening and closing the wall opening 40. As illustrated inthe embodiment of the figures, the closure 22 may be of a circular discshape. The closure 22 defines a closure opening 42 for dispensing of theconfectionery products. In an embodiment, the closure opening 42 andwall opening 40 align to open a passageway through which theconfectionery products may be dispensed. The effect of rotation of theclosure 22 on the passageway is demonstrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG.2, the closure 22 is rotated to a degree where the closure opening 42and the wall opening (not shown) are misaligned. This “closes” thedispenser and prevents removal of the pieces. As illustrated in theembodiment of FIG. 3, further rotation of the closure 22 can create an“opened” passageway by aligning the wall opening 40 and the closureopening 42, effectively opening the dispenser. It will be appreciatedthat any number and size of wall openings 40 and corresponding closureopenings 42 may be present.

The closure 22 may be attached to the dispenser 10 by any convenientmeans, provided that it is sized and shaped to fit over the wall opening40. Further, the closure 22 is connected to the dispenser 10 in a mannerso as to allow the cover to rotate. Preferably, the closure 22 isrotatable about a central axis. Rotation about the axis enables theclosure 22 to pivot between an open position and a closed position. Inan embodiment, one side wall 34 has one or more grooves about the wallopening 40. The closure 22 rotates about the groove. The groove mayadditionally allow the closure 22 to be releasably secured in a givenposition.

In an embodiment, the closure 22 may be spring-loaded. A springmechanism (not shown) may be present to bias the closure 22, preferablyin a closed position. In this embodiment, a user can rotate the closure22 to an open position, while the closure 22 is biased closed.Therefore, a user will release the closure 22 to close the opening 40.In another embodiment, the closure 22 is frictionally engaged with thewall. In both of these embodiments, the closure 22 is prevented fromopening in at an undesirable time, such as in the pocket or purse of auser.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in the figures, the rotatable closure22 may additionally comprise a thumb engagement point 60. The thumbengagement point 60 aides a user in exerting rotational force on theclosure 22 for easy opening and closing of the dispenser. As illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3, the thumb engagement point may be a cavity.Alternately, the thumb engagement point may be a concave indentation ora convex portion, or any suitable structure that resists pressureexerted by the thumb, resulting in rotation of the closure.

Preferably, the closure 22 can be rotated by a user while holding thedispenser 10 in the palm of one hand. As the dispenser 10 sits in theuser's palm, the user's fingers wrap around the container portion 20. Inan embodiment, the user's index finger rests in the grip indentation 50to exert a force on the dispenser 10. The user's thumb may preferablyapply a rotational force to the closure 22, sufficient to align the wallopening 40 and the closure opening 42 to open the dispenser.Confectionery pieces contained within the dispenser may then bedispensed by pouring the pieces from the dispenser 10. Continuedrotational force by the thumb on the closure 22 will misalign the wallopening 40 and the closure opening 42, to effectively close thedispenser

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A hand-held confectionery product dispenser comprising a container comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall having an opening, and a rotatable closure rotatably coupled to the side wall and comprising a closure opening; wherein the closure may be rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in which the wall opening and the closure opening are aligned.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein a side wall further comprises at least one grip indentation.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein a side wall is shaped to adapt to a user's hand.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is sized to be easily carried and stored for individual use.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein the dispenser is sized to fit within a clothing pocket of a user.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the wall opening and closure opening are sized to allow dispensing of a small number of confectionery products.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the closure is a circular disc.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the closure further comprises a thumb engagement point.
 9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the closure is spring-loaded.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the closure is frictionally engaged with the side wall.
 11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the lid may be rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in response to a single continuous motion with one hand.
 12. A hand-held confectionery product dispenser comprising a container comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall having an opening, the container being shaped to adapt to a user's hand; and a rotatable closure rotatably coupled to the side wall and comprising a closure opening; wherein the closure may be rotated so that the closure opening and the wall opening are aligned to allow the confectionery product to be distributed from the dispenser.
 13. The product dispenser of claim 12 wherein the at least one side wall comprises at least one grip indentation.
 14. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the closure may be rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in response to a single continuous motion with one hand.
 15. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the container opening and closure opening are sized to allow dispensing of a small number of confectionery products.
 16. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the closure is spring-loaded.
 17. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the closure is frictionally engaged with the side wall.
 18. A method of dispensing a confectionery product comprising: providing a hand-held confectionery product dispenser comprising a container comprising, a top, a bottom and at least one side wall having an opening, and a rotatable closure rotationally coupled to the side wall and comprising a closure opening; grasping the dispenser in the palm of one hand; rotating the closure with the thumb of the same hand until the wall opening and the closure opening are aligned; and dispensing the confectionery product from the dispenser.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the dispenser side wall is shaped to adapt to a user's hand.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the closure is rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in response to a single continuous motion.
 21. A hand-held product dispenser comprising a container comprising a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall having an opening, and a rotable closure rotatably coupled to the side wall and comprising a closure opening; wherein the closure may be rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in which the wall opening and the closure opening are aligned.
 22. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is a hand-held confectionery product dispenser.
 23. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2 wherein a side wall further comprises at least one grip indentation.
 24. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein a side wall is shaped to adapt to a user's hand.
 25. The dispenser of any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispenser is sized to be easily carried and stored for individual use.
 26. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein the dispenser is sized to fit within a clothing pocket of a user.
 27. The dispenser of any one of the preceding claims wherein the wall opening and closure opening are sized to allow dispensing of a small number of products.
 28. The dispenser of any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure is a circular disc.
 29. The dispenser of any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure further comprises a thumb engagement point.
 30. The dispenser of any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure is spring-loaded.
 31. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the closure is frictionally engaged with the side wall.
 32. A method of dispensing a product comprising: providing a hand-held product dispenser as defined in any one of the preceding claims;. grasping the dispenser in the palm of one hand; rotating the closure with the thumb of the same hand until the wall opening and the closure opening are aligned; and dispensing the product from the dispenser.
 33. The method of claim 12 wherein the closure is rotated between a closed position and a dispensing position in response to a single continuous motion. 